BILL NUMBER: SJR 22	CHAPTERED  09/21/99

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER   137
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE   SEPTEMBER 21, 1999
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY   SEPTEMBER 10, 1999
	ADOPTED IN SENATE   SEPTEMBER 2, 1999

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Burton

                        AUGUST 30, 1999

   Senate Joint Resolution No. 22--Relative to commemorative stamps.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SJR 22, Burton.  Commemorative stamps.
   This measure would urge Californians, government officials, and
others to observe October 1999 as National Stamp Collecting Month.




   WHEREAS, Over 150 years ago, United States commemorative stamps
began honoring the people, places, and events that have shaped our
country's history; and
   WHEREAS, Today, more than 22 million Americans, including
children, collect and learn about our country through stamps, making
it one of the most popular hobbies in the nation and the world; and
   WHEREAS, As we stand on the threshold of a new century, it is
important that we pause to reflect on our nation's history.  Stamps
honor statesmen and soldiers as they fought for freedom and
democracy, recognize our scientific and technological achievements,
pay tribute to our artistic legacy, and celebrate the strength of our
diversity; and
   WHEREAS, Starting October 1, National Stamp Collecting Month will
transform more than 100,000 schools, libraries, and post offices into
learning centers where our young people can honor the past and
celebrate the future through stamps.  The founders and participants
of National Stamp Collecting Month include millions of adult and
youth collectors, thousands of teachers and schools, the American
Philatelic Society, and the United States Postal Service; and
   WHEREAS, The people, places, and events shaping America today will
be United States commemorative stamps tomorrow.  National Stamp
Collecting Month helps empower our children and future generations to
study our history and learn from it.  As they learn the lessons of
the past, these children will be better prepared to guide our nation
into the future; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate and Assembly of the State of California,
jointly, That the Legislature of the State of California hereby urges
Californians to observe the month of October 1999 as National Stamp
Collecting Month; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature urges all federal, state, and local
government officials, community leaders, educators, students, stamp
collectors, and all other people of the United States to observe this
month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities; and be
it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for distribution.
